“According to [Cuba] data published by the National Office of Statistics and Information, in 2022 there were 12,065 fewer doctors, 7,414 fewer nurses and 3,246 fewer dentists on the island than in 2021.”In addition, Cuban “hospitals are seriously deteriorated and lacking supplies, and pharmacies lack medicines.” [1]
“In September 2023, the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry business group BioCubaFarma acknowledged that the country was short of 251 nationally manufactured medicines, 40% of which were part of the basic list.”
Aliuska Hernández Rodríguez, 52, an Internal Medicine specialist with a [Cuban} diploma in Intensive Care and now a resident in the United States, said, “Much of the world is living under the illusion of the ‘greatness of the Cuban health system ‘, which is far from the truth. It is not worth saying that we have medicine that the entire population has access to, if those who use it can die from the shortages. A health system where certain social classes – because there are differences – have excellent medical care and the rest do not.”
Another Cuban doctor now living in the U.S., said, “The Cuban health system is now more myth than reality. Professionals live very poorly, technology is generally obsolete, and the latest technology is only available in a few centers, where most people cannot reach it, not to mention access to new medicines, which is non-existent.”
“The collapse of the [Cuban] health system, frustration at not being able to help patients, harsh working conditions, limited options for improvement and pressure from the authorities have led many health professionals to see emigration as the only way out.”
As a Cuban neurologist now practicing in another country said, “The difference between practicing medicine in Cuba and in another country is simply that in another country you achieve your personal and economic goals. You can have a normal life, you can have financial solvency, travel, attend conferences in other countries with your own money, you don’t have to wait for anyone to invite you or pay you . You feel fulfilled, you are independent, you don’t need crumbs from anyone like in Cuba.”
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[1] Brtancourt, The exodus of doctors: a reflection of the health system in Cuba, Diario de Cuba (Sept. 24, 2024).
